[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 573-577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33190]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Loan Guaranty: Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology 
Grant Program

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the 
availability of funds for the Specially Adapted Housing Assistive 
Technology (SAHAT) Grant Program for fiscal year (FY) 2016. The 
objective of the grant is to encourage the development of new assistive 
technologies for specially adapted housing.
    This Notice is intended to provide applicants with the information 
necessary to apply for the SAHAT Grant Program. Registration will be 
available at www.Grants.gov. VA strongly recommends referring to the 
Loan Guaranty--Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant 
Program final rule (38 CFR part 36) in conjunction with this Notice. 
The registration process described within this Notice applies only to 
applicants who will register to submit project applications for FY 2016 
SAHAT Grant Program funds.

DATES: Applications for the SAHAT Grant Program must be submitted via 
www.Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 29, 2016. The 
SAHAT Grant Program application package for funding opportunity, VA-
SAHAT-16-01, is available through www.Grants.gov and is listed as VA-
Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program.
    Applications may not be sent by mail, email or facsimile. All 
application materials must be in a format compatible with the 
www.Grants.gov application submission tool. Applications must arrive as 
a complete package. Materials arriving separately will not be included 
in the application package for consideration and may result in the 
application being rejected. Technical assistance with the preparation 
of an initial SAHAT Grant Program application is available by 
contacting the program official listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Mims (Program Manager), 
Specially Adapted Housing Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 632-8816 (not a toll-
free number).
    Full Text of Announcement: This Notice is divided into eight 
sections. Section I provides a summary of and background information on 
the SAHAT Grant Program as well as the statutory authority, desired 
outcomes, funding priorities, definitions and delegation of authority. 
Section II provides award information, funding availability, and the 
anticipated start date of the SAHAT Grant Program. Section III provides 
detailed information on eligibility and the threshold criteria for 
submitting an application. Section IV provides detailed application and 
submission information, including how to request an application, 
application content, and submission dates and times. Section V 
describes the review process, scoring criteria, and selection process. 
Sections VI provides award administration information such as award 
notices and reporting requirements. Section VII provides agency 
contacts. Section VIII provides additional information related to the 
SAHAT Grant Program. This Notice includes citations from 38 CFR part 
36, which applicants and stakeholders are expected to read to increase 
their knowledge and understanding of the SAHAT Grant Program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Program Description

A. Summary

    Pursuant to the Veterans' Benefit Act of 2010, the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs (Secretary), through the Loan Guaranty Service (LGY) 
of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), is authorized to provide 
grants of financial assistance to develop new assistive technology. The 
objective of the grant, known as the Specially Adapted Housing 
Assistive Technology (SAHAT) Grant Program, is to encourage the 
development of new assistive technologies for adapted housing.

[[Page 574]]

B. Background

    LGY currently administers the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant 
Program. Through the SAH program, LGY provides funds to eligible 
Veterans and Servicemembers with certain service-connected disabilities 
to help purchase or construct an adapted home, or modify an existing 
home, to allow them to live more independently. Currently, most SAH 
adaptations involve structural modifications such as ramps, wider 
hallways and doorways, roll-in showers and other accessible bathroom 
features, etc. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acknowledges 
there are many emerging technologies that could improve home adaptions 
or otherwise enhance a Veteran's or Servicemember's ability to live 
independently, such as voice-recognition and voice-command operations, 
living environment controls, and adaptive feeding equipment. Therefore, 
VA has defined ``new assistive technology'' as an advancement that the 
Secretary determines could aid or enhance the ability of a Veteran or 
Servicemember to live in an adapted home.

C. Statutory Authority

    Public Law 111-275, the Veterans' Benefits Act of 2010 (the Act), 
was enacted on October 13, 2010. Section 203 of the Act amended chapter 
21, title 38, United States Code, to establish the SAHAT Grant Program. 
The Act authorizes VA to provide grants of up to $200,000 per fiscal 
year, through September 30, 2016, to a ``person or entity'' for the 
development of specially adapted housing assistive technologies and 
limits to $1 million the aggregate amount of such grants VA may award 
in any fiscal year.
    Reference: 38 U.S.C. 2108 and 38 CFR 36.4412

D. Desired Outcomes and Funding Priorities

    Grantees will be expected to leverage grant funds to develop new 
assistive technologies for specially adapted housing. Pursuant to 36 
CFR 36.4412, the Secretary may establish scoring priorities based on 
the specific needs of Veterans and Servicemembers. For FY 2016, the 
Secretary has established innovation and unmet needs, as described in 
scoring criteria 1 and 2 contained in Section V(A) of this 
announcement, as top priorities. Additional information regarding how 
these priorities will be scored is contained in Section V(A) of this 
announcement.

E. Definitions

    Definitions of terms used in the SAHAT Grant Program are contained 
in 38 CFR 36.4412(b).

F. Delegation of Authority

    Pursuant to 38 CFR 36.4412(i), each VA employee appointed to or 
lawfully fulfilling any of the following positions is hereby delegated 
authority, within the limitations and conditions prescribed by law, to 
exercise the powers and functions of the Secretary with respect to the 
SAHAT Grant Program authorized by 38 U.S.C. 2108:

1. Under Secretary for Benefits
2. Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity
3. Director, Loan Guaranty Service
4. Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service

II. Award Information

A. Funding Availability

    The aggregate amount of assistance VA may award in any fiscal year 
is limited to $1,000,000. This funding will be provided as an 
assistance agreement in the form of grants. The number of assistance 
agreements VA will fund as a result of this announcement will be based 
on the quality of the technology grant applications received and the 
availability of funding. However, the maximum amount of assistance a 
technology grant applicant may receive in any fiscal year is limited to 
$200,000.

B. Additional Funding Information

    Funding for these projects is not guaranteed and is subject to the 
availability of funds and the evaluation of technology grant 
applications based on the criteria in this announcement. In appropriate 
circumstances, VA reserves the right to partially fund technology grant 
applications by funding discrete portions or phases of proposed 
projects. If VA decides to partially fund a technology grant 
application, it will do so in a manner that does not prejudice any 
application or affect the basis upon which the application, or portion 
thereof, was evaluated and selected for award, and therefore maintains 
the integrity of the competition and selection process. Award of 
funding through this competition is not a guarantee of future funding. 
The SAHAT Grant Program is administered annually and does not guarantee 
subsequent awards. Renewal grants to provide new assistive technology 
will not be considered under this announcement.

C. Start Date

    The anticipated start date of grants funded under this announcement 
is April 4, 2016.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    As authorized by 38 U.S.C. 2108, the Secretary may provide a grant 
to a ``person or entity'' for the development of specially adapted 
housing assistive technologies. In order to foster competition and best 
serve the needs of Veterans and Servicemembers, VA is placing no 
restrictions on the types of eligible entities, except as noted in 
Section III(C) of this announcement.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

    There is no cost sharing, matching, or cost participation for the 
SAHAT Grant Program. However, leveraged resources will be considered as 
an evaluation criterion during the application review process (see 
scoring criterion 6 in Section V of this announcement). Leveraged 
resources are not included in the approved budget (outlined in the 
424A) for the project and need not be an eligible and allowable cost 
under the grant. Any form of proposed leveraging that is evaluated 
under Section V scoring criteria must be included in the application 
and the application must describe how the technology grant applicant 
will obtain the leveraged resources and what role VA funding will play 
in the overall project.

C. Threshold Criteria

    As stated in Section III(A), VA is placing no restrictions on the 
types of eligible entities. However, all technology grant applicants 
and applications must meet the threshold criteria set forth below. 
Failure to meet any of the following threshold criteria in the 
application will result in the automatic disqualification of the 
application for funding consideration. Ineligible participants will be 
notified within 30 days of the finding of disqualification for award 
consideration based on the following threshold criteria:
    1. Projects funded under this announcement must involve new 
assistive technologies that the Secretary determines could aid or 
enhance the ability of a Veteran or Servicemember to live in an adapted 
home.
    2. Projects funded under this announcement must not be used for the 
completion of work which was to have been completed under a prior 
grant.
    3. Applications in which the technology grant applicant is 
requesting

[[Page 575]]

assistance funds in excess of $200,000 will not be reviewed.
    4. Applications that do not substantially comply with the 
application and submission information provided in Section IV of this 
announcement will be rejected.
    5. Applications submitted via mail, email, or facsimile will not be 
reviewed.
    6. Applications must be received through www.Grants.gov, as 
specified in Section IV of this announcement, on or before the 
application deadline published in Section IV of this announcement. 
Applications received through www.Grants.gov after the application 
deadline will be considered late and will not be reviewed.
    7. Technology grant applicants that have an outstanding obligation 
to the Federal Government that is in arrears or have an overdue or 
unsatisfactory response to an audit will be deemed ineligible.
    8. Technology grant applicants in default by failing to meet the 
requirements for any previous Federal assistance will be deemed 
ineligible.
    9. Applications submitted by entities deemed ineligible will not be 
reviewed.
    All technology grant recipients, including individuals and entities 
formed as for-profit entities, will be subject to the rules on Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements With Institutions 
of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-profit Organizations, as 
found at 2 CFR part 200. Where the Secretary determines that 2 CFR part 
200 is not applicable or where the Secretary determines that additional 
requirements are necessary due to the uniqueness of a situation, the 
Secretary will apply the same standard applicable to exceptions under 2 
CFR 200.102.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    Technology grant applicants may download the application package 
from www.Grants.gov. Questions regarding the application process should 
be referred to the program official: Robert Mims (Program Manager), 
Specially Adapted Housing Program, [email protected], (202) 632-8816 
(This is not a toll-free number.)

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The SAHAT Grant Program application package provided at 
www.Grants.gov (Funding Opportunity Number: VA-SAHAT-16-01) contains 
electronic versions of the application forms that are required. 
Additional attachments to satisfy the required application information 
may be provided. All technology grant applications must consist of the 
following:
    1. Standard Forms (SF) 424, 424A, and 424B: The SF-424, SF-424A, 
and SF-424B require general information about the applicant and 
proposed project. The project budget should be described in SF-424A. 
Please do not include leveraged resources in SF-424A.
    2. Applications: In addition to the forms listed above, each 
technology grant application must include the following information:
    a. A project description, including the goals and objectives of the 
project, what the project is expected to achieve, and how the project 
will benefit Veterans and Servicemembers.
    b. An estimated schedule including the length of time (not to 
exceed the grant cycle) needed to accomplish tasks and objectives for 
the project.
    c. A description of what the project proposes to demonstrate and 
how this new technology will aid or enhance the ability of Veterans and 
Servicemembers to live in an adapted home.
    d. Each technology grant applicant is responsible for ensuring that 
the application addresses each of the scoring criteria listed in 
Section V(A) of this announcement.

C. DUNS Number and SAM

    Each technology grant applicant, unless the applicant is an 
individual or Federal awarding agency that is excepted from these 
requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved 
by VA under 2 CFR 25.110(d), is required to:
    1. Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to 
submitting an application;
    2. Provide a valid Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System 
(DUNS) number in the application; and
    3. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which the technology grant applicant 
has an active Federal award or an application under consideration by 
VA.
    VA will not make an award to an applicant until the applicant has 
complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if the 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time VA 
is ready to make an award, VA will determine the applicant is not 
qualified to receive a Federal award and will use this determination as 
a basis for making the award to another applicant.

D. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications for the SAHAT Grant Program must be submitted via 
www.Grants.gov to be transmitted to VA by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 
February 29, 2016. Submissions received after this application deadline 
will be considered late and will not be reviewed or considered. 
Submissions via email, mail, or fax will not be accepted.
    Applications submitted via www.Grants.gov must be submitted by an 
individual registered with www.Grants.gov and authorized to sign 
applications for Federal assistance. For more information and to 
complete the registration process, visit www.Grants.gov. Technology 
grant applicants are responsible for ensuring that the registration 
process does not hinder timely submission of the application.
    It is the responsibility of grant applicants to ensure a full and 
complete application is submitted via www.Grants.gov. Applicants are 
encouraged to periodically review the ``Version History Tab'' of the 
funding opportunity announcement in www.Grants.gov to determine if any 
modifications have been made to the funding announcement and/or 
opportunity package. Upon initial download of the funding opportunity 
package, applicants will be asked to provide an email address to be 
notified of any changes to the opportunity package before the closing 
date. Providing your email address will allow www.Grants.gov to send 
you an email message in the event this funding opportunity package is 
changed and/or republished on www.Grants.gov prior to the posted 
closing date.

E. Confidential Business Information

    It is recommended that confidential business information (CBI) not 
be included in your application. However, if CBI is included in your 
application, it will be handled by VA in accordance with 2 CFR 200. 
Applicants must clearly indicate which portion(s) of their application 
they are claiming as CBI. VA will evaluate such claims in accordance 
with 2 CFR 200. If no claim is made, VA is not required to make an 
inquiry of the applicant.

F. Intergovernmental Review

    This section is not applicable to the SAHAT Grant Program.

G. Funding Restrictions

    The SAHAT Grant Program does not allow reimbursement of pre-award 
costs.

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V. Application Review Information

    Each eligible proposal (based on the Section III threshold 
eligibility review) will be evaluated according to the criteria 
established by the Secretary and provided as described below in Section 
A.

A. Scoring Criteria

    The Secretary will score technology grant applications based on the 
scoring criteria listed below. As indicated in Section I of this 
announcement, the Secretary is placing most emphasis on criteria 1 and 
2 listed below. The establishment of priorities does not establish new 
scoring criteria but is designed to assist technology grant applicants 
in understanding how scores will be weighted. Although there is not a 
cap on the maximum aggregate score possible, a technology grant 
application must receive a minimum aggregate score of 70 to be 
considered for a technology grant. The scoring criteria and maximum 
points are as follows:
    1. A description of how the new assistive technology is innovative 
(up to 50 points);
    2. An explanation of how the new assistive technology will meet a 
specific, unmet need among eligible individuals (up to 50 points);
    3. An explanation of how the new assistive technology is 
specifically designed to promote the ability of eligible individuals to 
live more independently (up to 30 points);
    4. A description of the new assistive technology's concept, size, 
and scope (up to 30 points);
    5. An implementation plan with major milestones for bringing the 
new assistive technology into production and to the market. Such 
milestones must be meaningful and achievable within a specific 
timeframe (up to 30 points); and
    6. An explanation of what uniquely positions the technology grant 
applicant in the marketplace. This can include a focus on 
characteristics such as the economic reliability of the technology 
grant applicant, the technology grant applicant's status as a minority 
or veteran-owned business, or other characteristics that the technology 
grant applicant wants to include to show how it will help protect the 
interests of, or further the mission of, VA and the program (up to 20 
points).

B. Review and Selection Process

    Eligible applications will be evaluated by a five-person review 
panel comprised of VA employees. Based on this evaluation, the review 
panel will score applications using the scoring criteria provided in 
Section V(A), with most emphasis being placed on scoring criteria 1 and 
2. The review panel will then rank those applications that receive a 
minimum aggregate score of 70 in order from highest to lowest. The 
delegated official will select the highest ranked application(s) based 
on, and subject to, the availability of funds.

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

    Although subject to change, the SAHAT Grant Program Office expects 
to announce grant recipient(s) by April 1, 2016. Prior to executing any 
funding agreement, VA will contact successful applicant(s), make known 
the amount of proposed funding, and verify the applicant's desire to 
receive the funding. In advance of grant award, successful applicants 
will be required to complete the VA Form 26-0967, which is a 
``Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and 
Voluntary Exclusion.'' Any communication between the SAHAT Grant 
Program Office and successful applicants prior to the issuance of an 
award notice is not authorization to begin project activities. Once VA 
verifies that the grant applicant is still seeking funding, VA will 
issue a signed and dated award notice. The award notice will be sent by 
U.S. mail to the organization listed on the SF-424.
    Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by letter, sent by U.S. 
mail to the organization listed on the SF-424.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    This section is not applicable to the SAHAT Grant Program.

C. Reporting

    VA places great emphasis on the responsibility and accountability 
of grantees. Grantees must agree to cooperate with any Federal 
evaluation of the program and provide the following:
    1. Quarterly Progress Reports: These reports will be submitted 
electronically and outline how grant funds were used, describe program 
progress, and describe any barriers and measurable outcomes.
    2. Quarterly Financial Reports: These reports will be submitted 
electronically using SF-425.
    3. Grantee Closeout Report: This final report will be submitted 
electronically and will detail the assistive technology developed. The 
Closeout Report must be submitted to the SAHAT Grant Program Office no 
later than September 30, 2017.

D. Disputes

    Competition-related disputes associated with this announcement will 
be resolved in accordance with 2 CFR 200, et seq.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    For additional general information about this announcement contact 
the program official: Robert Mims (Program Manager), Specially Adapted 
Housing Program, [email protected], (202) 632-8816 (This is not a 
toll-free number.)
    If mailing correspondence, other than application material, please 
send to: Loan Guaranty Service, VA Central Office, Attn: Robert Mims 
(262), 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420.
    All correspondence with VA concerning this announcement should 
reference the funding opportunity title and funding opportunity number 
listed at the top of this solicitation. Once the announcement deadline 
has passed, VA staff may not discuss this competition with applicants 
until the application review process has been completed.

VIII. Other Information

    The SAHAT Grant Program is a new program. 38 U.S.C. 2108 authorizes 
VA to provide grants for the development of new assistive technologies 
through September 30, 2016. Additional information related to the SAH 
program administered by LGY is available at: http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/adaptedhousing.asp
    The SAHAT Grant is not a Veterans' benefit. As such, the decisions 
of the Secretary are final and not subject to the same appeal rights as 
decisions related to Veterans' benefits. The Secretary does not have a 
duty to assist technology grant applicants in obtaining a grant.
    Grantees will receive payments electronically through the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System.

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Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert L. 
Nabors II, Chief of Staff, approved this document on December 30, 2015, 
for publication.

    Dated: December 30, 2015.
William F. Russo,
Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the 
General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2015-33190 Filed 1-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P